Canada's women's basketball team collapses in 58-53 loss to Russia

Tamara Tatham (L) and Lizanne Murphy of Canada show their dejection after their basketball loss to Russia at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London England, July 28, 2012.

Photograph by: Jean Levac
, Postmedia News

A three-point shot loosened the thread, and a veteranplayer pulled on it until it unravelled around Canada, depriving the Canadianwomen’s basketball team of a massive upset victory at the London Olympics.

Canada lost control of a 10-point lead with fewer thanfive minutes to play in its opening game, falling 58-53 to Russia. TheRussians, ranked third in the world, were saved by a run of crucial basketsdown the stretch from Becky Hammon, the U.S.-born veteran who has become anaturalized Russian.

“We really believed we could beat them,” Canadian coachAllison McNeill said. “But at the end of the day, we’ll be proud of how weplayed.”

Canada, sitting 11th in the FIBA rankings, held a 50-40lead with a little more than four minutes to play in the fourth. Russia hit athree, and climbed onto Hammon’s back. She tied the game at 50-50, and thendrove the net hard — hitting a prayer in the process — to give the Russians a52-51 lead. They never looked back.

“We know we’re a good team, we’ve known that for awhile,” said Kim Smith of Mission, B.C. “Other people haven’t really figured itout yet, but we know we can compete with anybody, and we’re still looking tomake some noise in this tournament.”

Smith finished with a game-high 20 points for Canada.

“We didn’t really execute against their zone,” Smithsaid. “We got out of sorts on our offence. And what really killed us wastransition defence. We gave up two wide-open threes, and that’s somethingthat’s a staple for us — and that’s why it hurts a little but more, becausethat’s where we usually win games.”

The Olympic basketball tournament is comprised of 12teams split into two divisions of six. The top four teams from each groupadvance. Canada shares a group with Russia, Australia, Brazil, France and GreatBritain.

The Canadians face Great Britain on Monday. The hostnation is ranked 49th in the world, and is competing in the Olympics afterreceiving an exemption last year.

Canada is also an underdog at the tournament, which madethe final few minutes of its loss feel that much more sour on Saturday. TheCanadians were out-scored 21-10 in the fourth quarter, allowing the Russians an18-3 run at one point.

“We knew that we had it in our hands,” Smith said. “Andit’s going to hurt a little bit and it’s going to sting, but this is a longtournament. We’ve been in these situations before, and we know that we have tojust keep fighting.”